Could Lord of the Rings Go Woke? New Trilogy Announcement Has Fans Worried

On Thursday, it was announced by Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav that the beloved ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise will be getting a new trilogy in the coming years thanks to new studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy.

While no filmmakers have been assigned the new trilogy, Peter Jackson, the director of the first trilogy and the subsequent trilogy for ‘The Hobbit,’ told Variety in a statement that he has been kept in the loop.

“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward,” wrote Jackson along with two of his main co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens in a statement, adding that they’ve been “kept us in the loop every step of the way.”

Warner Bros announced on their Thursday earnings call that they will be partnering with Embracer Group to expand the Tolkien franchise, according to Variety.

“Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we’re thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways,” said the CEO of Freemode, a subsidiary of Embracer Group, Lee Guinchard. “We understand how cherished these works are and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values.”

Warner Bros. Pictures is revamping the “Lord of the Rings” film franchise.

Get the details here: https://t.co/XfHSGK6zfh pic.twitter.com/Te23J4STah

— Variety (@Variety) February 23, 2023

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While the execs at Warner Bros may be excited for the prospect to rack in billions of dollars like was done in the first trilogy and ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, fans weren’t as excited by the news online, as reported by the Daily Wire.

“Please don’t let them woke LOTR,” wrote one user. “We need to crowd fund the purchase of Warner Bros if need be.”

@elonmusk please don’t let them woke LOTR. We need to crowd fund the purchase of Warner Bros if need be.

— andrea myknahlea 🇨🇦🚛🇳🇱🚜 (@andreamermaiden) February 24, 2023

“There is no reason to do this,” explained another. “There are so many original stories waiting to be put onto the big screen. End the remake madness.”

There is no reason to do this. There are so many original stories waiting to be put onto the big screen. End the remake madness.

— Mark Starrett 🇺🇸 (@MTStarrett) February 23, 2023

“‘In case you haven’t noticed, we’re out of ideas.'” Hollywood,” wrote another user in reaction to the news.

"In case you haven't noticed, we're out of ideas." Hollywood

— Bergsauce fka klaus_kinski (@klaus_kinski) February 24, 2023

“Part of me feels like this incessant need to remake or reimagine movies we grew up loving is to intentionally demoralize us and taint the good memories we have of certain films,” wrote one Twitter user. “I have zero faith they won’t remake this in their woke image.”

Part of me feels like this incessant need to remake or reimagine movies we grew up loving is to intentionally demoralize us and taint the good memories we have of certain films. I have zero faith they won’t remake this in their woke image.

— Ryan (@rcam_tv) February 24, 2023

With the announcement of yet another cash grab by Hollywood, the directors and producers behind the big screen once again show that they’d rather take the safe option than actually come up with new, original stories. Hopefully, Peter Jackson is tapped to take the helm of this new trilogy so that some of the original magic is still felt, however, fans can only hope that wokeism isn’t instituted into the new installments as well.

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